QuattroRomeo

We just watched this yesterday; he also mentioned the lack of main stage entertainment, but added that it is gradually getting better. And, perhaps the biggest irritant- the new push for families on board!

2 hours ago, GlennG said:

Approximately one year ago, we travelled on the Noordam (Alaska Cruise).  There was a single desktop computer (PC) just adjacent to the front desk.  I had to ask personnel at the front desk if I could use this computer.  This was the only PC available for passenger use.

17 minutes ago, crx said:

We are just off the NOORDAM ..  There is only one public computer station . It is located right beside the front desk.  No computer lab any more.  The library is large and has a coffee shop beside it.

Thank you both for your specific help. I guess we are going the way of the dodo! At least we know what to expect in a couple of weeks and can be prepared.

There are some computers on desks showing in photos from Halfacts and Cruisedeckplans, but the shots are from 2019. They are on deck 3 from what I checked. I am wondering if they are still there, or possibly some other location now. You are right Ruth, there are some on other ships- there are 2 just to the left of Guest Services counter on Rotterdam and Koningsdam. Not the best location as it can get noisy in that area, but at least they are there. 

The photo of you with Susan, and your Grinch- that's a keeper!!

15 minutes ago, scooter6139 said:

Are you referring to the PCs in the Microsoft Sudio on deck 2?

I guess so-not sure where they are anymore! Are they there for public use?

I checked photos on Halfacts and elsewhere, and have not been able to see a current picture of the area on Noordam that has the computer stations. Are there many, or any, PCs available with the big screens?

For just water, these are the offerings (of course you can also buy individually):

If you are interested in a coffee/non-alcoholic drink package, this might help you; this pricing is for a 14 day cruise: 

"Unlike a manual hand wash, CleanTech^® has been 3rd-party tested in a GLP-certified lab to ensure that every hand wash removes more than 99.9% of harmful pathogens, every time. Each 12 second automated hand wash is also 100% touch free with no cross-contamination between users meeting hygiene requirements for GFSI, FDA FSMA, USDA and GMP standards. A photo-eye sensor begins each hand wash automatically when hands enter the system, eliminating any risk of cross-contamination from touch points."

-from The Meritech website.

It might be this company that makes them. Their website shows one 4-tulip vase, and those miniature houses that you find in the Dutch Cafe. 

The vases on board aren't signed or stamped on the bottom like the expensive ones are elsewhere; however they might be producing them specially for HAL. Just a guess!

That looks lovely!

Med cruises are so interesting and it sounds like yours was no exception! Thanks for sharing your informative cruise review with us!

We had a terrible service experience in the spa on Rotterdam. Many things went wrong regarding overcharging. DH complained several times to the so called Asst Manager there. She complained back arguing that we should back off and respect that she is a manager...🙄 One time the hydro pool closed very early. When you have already paid for your time, that isn't acceptable. The spa did nothing for us. DH talked to the Guest Services Manager a few times, and she did manage to get one days' worth of spa entry removed from our bill. 

Check your bill thoroughly while in the spa!

42 minutes ago, Djb.zville said:

I see dinner reservations for Pinnacle Grill as an option under "manage my cruise" but not lunch.  Can you make lunch reservations at Pinnacle Grill before boarding?  If so, what am I missing?  Do you have to call HAL? 

Just on board. You can reserve when you embark, at the specialty dining kiosk. Also at the  Pinnacle Grill when it is open. Lunch is only available on sea days. Most times we just went at noon and walked in without a reservation!

14 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

No rate offers for Loonies 🤔

😧

39 minutes ago, Archipelago said:

Can Club Orange be booked online after booking the voyage ? 

Not online. You must call in to check if it is still available, and if so, make the purchase over the phone.

1 hour ago, syesmar said:

I don’t know if they still do, but I recall an appetizer similar to the salmon one in the photo being available (complimentary) in the Explorations Cafe. So good!

There might be! I know the Dutch Cafe sometimes had smoked salmon in their showcase.

Yes they are quite squishable!

17 minutes ago, Steerpike58 said:

Thanks for all the info here!  I ended up booking two cruises on HA on Friday; a single-occupancy circle-Japan cruise next March with my buddies (the ones who will be in the Neptune Suite, requiring me to have Club Orange so I can join them) and one with my girlfriend to Malta in September. The price was so cheap (compared to Viking) that we upgraded to a 'Signature' room on the Malta cruise and it's still much lower than the Viking rate for a veranda room. We went for 'Club Orange' on the Malta cruise also; it seemed to give us a much lower price on the rooms, somehow (or at least, our HA travel guy was able to get us a better price than we could get on the website).  The HA travel guy was very helpful. 

 

We're going to have two nights (one full day) in Rome at the start, and 4 nights (three full days) in Barcelona at the end. HA seem to have fewer 'pre-' and 'post-' cruise extensions compared to Viking, but - we felt the last two pre / post extensions with Viking were not good value anyway so we'll just put together our own package.  

 

Now we get to see how the excursion booking process is, compared to Viking. 

 

 

 

Fantastic! Glad to hear you got CO with your friends, and again for another one! 

3 hours ago, Sharon in AZ said:

I have ordered these several different times for different cruises, mostly for get togethers with cruise friends. Done very well. I preorder from home to arrive on embarkation and I refrigerate them when we get to the room. If I get several trays I put them all on one so they fit. The pate mousse is good and there is a shrimp one and cheese, usually Brie, too. Here’s an example:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for the photos and descriptions- they look pretty good!

4 hours ago, Boatdrill said:

I often ordered these to be delivered to the room on embark day, and found them to be very good. The photo is accurate - they're similar to pate or mousse.  However, the price has increased substantially, and unless they've done something spectacular with them, it's no longer a good value for me. Just MHO.

Thanks- they are expensive,  but I am glad to hear they are very good!

4 hours ago, tunafish said:

I would book a specialty restaurant or something else. these are premade in the morning and usually look like a pre-packed sandwich from a supermarket. just my 0.02

We already have several specialties booked; this plate would be for a different occasion!

I am considering ordering the hors d'oeuvres as a surprise for DH; he loves smoked salmon and pate. Not sure from the photo what else is on the plate. Anyone try it and would recommend?

41 minutes ago, Weelynn said:

Hi there. Yeah I’ve book ashore excursion with no problem. But when I go onto booking dining I gets box saying none available. 

 

 

Ours also showed "none available" until they were suddenly there. So 3-4 months out. I would think they should show up for you soon. If you are keen to book a certain time or place you could always try calling HAL to see if they can place reservations yet, as they also do that over the phone.

2 hours ago, Steerpike58 said:

My friends tell me the Noordam has a 'dedicated VIP section' for CO within the main dining room area. So that's why they want me to get CO, so I can join them in that section. Makes sense. 

Well if that's the case then it is probably important for you to get CO! See if it is available and then what cabins are available in your chosen category. Then you just book guarantee, pay for CO, and get upgraded to a better location that you choose, without having to do that expensive "choose your room" option, which costs more than just adding CO. Hope you are able to get something that you like!